LEARNING MODULE

Subject Code: MATH 5 Differential Calculus

Module Code: 5.0 Derivative and Differentiation
Lesson Code: 5.4.2 Rules on Differentiation: Product Rule
Time Limit: 30 minutes

TARGET TA1: 1 minute ATA2:

By the end of this learning module, the students should be able to:
1. define the product rule, and
2. find the derivatives of algebraic functions using product rule.

HOOK TA: 1 minute ATA:

In our previous lesson, we determined the derivative of algebraic function using

constant rule, power rule, constant multiple rule, sum rule and difference rule. We saw that the
derivative of a sum or difference of two functions is simply the sum or difference of their
respective derivatives. The formula in this lesson will enable us to differentiate new functions
formed from old functions by multiplication. The rule for finding the derivative of the product
of two functions is not as simple.

Question to ponder: Is the Product rule defined by [𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)]′ = 𝒇′(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈′(𝒙)?

IGNITE TA: 17 minutes ATA:

Starting with differentiable functions 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥), we want to get the derivative of
𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥).

Previously, we defined the sum rule as [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]′ = 𝑓′(𝑥) + 𝑔′(𝑥) .

Let us check if [𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)]′ = 𝒇′ (𝒙) ∙ 𝒈′(𝒙) is the Product rule.

Let us choose:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥10 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥13

1
Time Allocation, in minutes, set by the teacher
2
Actual Time Allocation, in minutes, spent by the student (for information purposes only)

Math 5 | Page 1 of 5
Compute derivatives:
𝑓′(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 𝑔′(𝑥) = 10𝑥 9 𝑘′(𝑥) = [𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)]′ = 13𝑥12

Then let us compare:

 [𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)]′ = 13𝑥12
 𝑓′(𝑥)𝑔′(𝑥) = (3𝑥 2 )(10𝑥 9 ) = 30𝑥11

Since [𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥)]′ ≠ 𝑓′(𝑥) · 𝑔′(𝑥), then this is NOT the Product Rule.

Deriving the Product Rule

Starting with differentiable functions 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) we can get the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥).
By the definition of derivative,
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) · 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
[𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥)] ′ = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
Subtract and add 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) in the numerator:
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) · 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
[𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥)] ′ = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

Applying the Sum law for limits, we get,

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) · 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
lim + lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) · 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)𝑔(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) 𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
lim + lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

Factoring 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) , we have,

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)[ 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑔(𝑥) ] 𝑔(𝑥)[ 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) ]
lim + lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

Product law for limits:

𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
(lim 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)) (lim ) + (lim 𝑔(𝑥)) (lim )
ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ

𝑓 is differentiable so f 𝒈‘(𝒙), by definition of 𝒈(𝒙), since 𝒇 ′(𝒙), by definition of

is continuous so this is derivative does not derivative
equal to 𝒇(𝒙) depend on ℎ

𝒇(𝒙) 𝒈′ (𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙) 𝒇′(𝒙)

Hence, the rule tells us that the derivative of the product of two differentiable functions is equal
to the first function times the derivative of the second function plus the second function times
the derivative of the first function.

Math 5 | Page 2 of 5
 The Product Rule If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both differentiable, then

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
[ 𝒇(𝒙) · 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒇(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)] + 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒇(𝒙)] .
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

Example 1:
Let 𝑘(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥 3 + 5𝑥). Differentiate 𝑘(𝑥).

SOLUTION 1:
Let 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥), where 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 5
𝑘′(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔′(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)𝑓′(𝑥) (Product Rule)
𝑘′(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 + 1)(3𝑥 2 + 5) + (𝑥 3 + 5𝑥)(2𝑥) (Simplify)
𝑘 ′ (𝑥) = 5𝑥 4 + 18𝑥 2 + 5 ∎
SOLUTION 2:
FOIL out 𝑘(𝑥) to get 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 + 6𝑥 3 + 5𝑥
Applying Sum Rule and Power Rule to get: 𝑘′(𝑥) = 5𝑥 4 + 18𝑥 2 + 5. ∎

Example 2:
Differentiate the following:
3
a. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) b. 𝑓(𝑥) = (6𝑥 3 − 𝑥)(10 − 20𝑥)

SOLUTION:
3
a. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )
2
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) (Rewrite radical form into exponential form)
2 2
𝑑 𝑑
𝑦 ′ = (𝑥 ) 3 (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) + (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) (𝑥 ) (Apply the Product Rule)
3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
2 1
2
𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 3 (2 − 2𝑥) + 3 𝑥 −3 (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) (Simplify)
2 5 2 5
4 2
𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥3 − 𝑥3 (Simplify)
3 3
2 5
10 8
𝑦′ = 𝑥3 − 𝑥3 ∎
3 3

b. 𝑓(𝑥) = (6𝑥 3 − 𝑥)(10 − 20𝑥)

𝑑 𝑑
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = (6𝑥 3 − 𝑥) (10 − 20𝑥) + (10 − 20𝑥) (6𝑥 3 − 𝑥) (Apply the Product Rule)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑓′(𝑥) = (6𝑥 3 − 𝑥)(−20) + (10 − 20𝑥)(18𝑥 2 − 1) (Simplify)

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −480𝑥 3 + 180𝑥 2 + 40𝑥 − 10 ∎

Math 5 | Page 3 of 5
Example 3:
Differentiate the function 𝑓(𝑡) = √𝑡(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡), where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants.

SOLUTION:
𝑓(𝑡) = √𝑡(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡)
1
𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑡 2 (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡) (Rewrite radical form into exponential form)
1 1
𝑑 𝑑
𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = (𝑡 2 ) (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡) + (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡) (𝑡 2 ) (Apply the Product Rule)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
1 1
1
𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = (𝑡 2 ) (𝑏) + (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡) (𝑡 −2 ) (Simplify)
2
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡
𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = 𝑏√𝑡 + (Simplify and rewrite exponential form into radical form)
2√𝑡
𝑎 + 3𝑏𝑡
𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = ∎
2√𝑡

Example 4:
Suppose 𝑓(0) = 3, 𝑓’(0) = −2, 𝑔(0) = 7, 𝑔’(0) = 4, Let ℎ = 𝑓𝑔. Find ℎ’(0).

SOLUTION:
Applying the product rule, ℎ’(0) = 𝑓’(0)𝑔(0) + 𝑓(0)𝑔’(0) = (−2)( 7) + (3)(4) = −2. ∎

NAVIGATE TA: 10 minutes ATA:

PRACTICE EXERCISE (Non-graded)

1. Find the derivative of each function:

a. 𝑦 = 2𝑥(𝑥 2 + 3𝑥)
1
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = ( 𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 − 1)

c. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 7 − 8𝑥 2 + 1)
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 (3𝑥 + 2)

2. If 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑓(2) = 3, 𝑓’(2) = −4, 𝑔(2) = 1, and 𝑔’(2) = 5, find 𝑘’(2).

Math 5 | Page 4 of 5
 KNOT TA: 1 minute ATA:

IN A NUTSHELL
The Product Rule enable us to differentiate new functions formed from old functions
by multiplication.
The Product Rule If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both differentiable, then

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
[ 𝒇(𝒙) · 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒇(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)] + 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒇(𝒙)].
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

The Product Rule says that the derivative of a product of two functions is the first function times
the derivative of the second function plus the second function times the derivative of the first
function.

References:

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. (Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario.
(n.d.) Science LINKS. Rex Bookstore, Inc.)
Larson, R. (2007) Brief Calculus: An Applied Approach with zCalcChat &CalcView.
10th ed. Cengage Learning. Boston USA
Stewart, J. (2016). Calculus: Early Transcendentals. International Metric Version. 8th ed.
Cengage Learning. Singapore
Kim, E. The Product Rule for Differentiation. Retrieved from:
http://websites.uwlax.edu/ekim/resources/differentiation-product-rule-slides.pdf
Retrieval Date: September 22, 2020

Prepared by: Jeovanni D. Soncio, Jr. Reviewed by: Fritzie Mae V. Orcajada
Position: Special Science Teacher V Position: Special Science Teacher IV
Campus: PSHS-SRC Campus: PSHS-SRC

ANSWER KEY
Navigate
PRACTICE EXERCISE (Non-graded)
1. Find the derivative of each function:
a. 𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥
𝑥 2 +1
b. 𝑓’(𝑥) = 𝑥2

c. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 30𝑥 9 + 48𝑥 7 + 105𝑥 6 − 40𝑥 4 − 45𝑥 2 − 80𝑥 + 2

9𝑥 + 2
d. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2√𝑥

Math 5 | Page 5 of 5
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